History of Pluto TV in Timeline
Pluto TV is a free, ad-supported streaming television service owned by Paramount Skydance. Founded in 2013, it is based in Los Angeles and operates in the Americas and Europe. Pluto TV offers content through digital linear channels, mimicking the traditional broadcast TV experience with scheduled programming and commercial breaks. The service generates revenue through video advertisements shown during these breaks.
2005: Viacom and CBS split
In 2005, Viacom and CBS Corporation—which had split into two separate companies five years after the original Viacom first acquired CBS's assets.
2013: Pluto Inc. funding
During the second half of 2013, Pluto Inc. raised $13 million in series A funding from investors that included Universal Music Group, Sky plc, UTA Ventures, and venture capital firms U.S. Venture Partners (USVP), QueensBridge Venture Partners, Pritzker Group Venture Capital, Luminari Capital, Great Oaks Venture Capital and Chicago Ventures.
March 31, 2014: Pluto TV Beta Website Launch
On March 31, 2014, Pluto TV launched its beta website, co-founded by Nick Grouf, Tom Ryan, and Ilya Pozin. It offered curated channels from video-sharing platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and Dailymotion, along with content from Funny or Die, QVC, Refinery29, RocketJump, and TYT Network.
May 14, 2014: Pluto unveils "myPluto" DVR feature
On May 14, 2014, Pluto unveiled a digital video recorder feature on its website known as "myPluto"; users could "record" content by clicking a "save show" button that would archive content from the channel as it played.
July 1, 2015: Pluto TV and Hulu sign distribution deal
On July 1, 2015, Pluto TV announced a deal with Hulu to distribute free ad-supported video content from Hulu's website, including current-season episodes from ABC, NBC and Fox, as well as classic TV series and animated programs. Hulu handled advertising for this content.
October 2015: Pluto TV adds 20 channels
In October 2015, Pluto TV added 20 channels featuring content from AwesomenessTV, Cracked, IGN, Just for Laughs, Legendary Digital Networks, Newsy, The Onion, and DHX Media, bringing the total number of channels to around 120.
May 15, 2016: Pluto TV app available on PlayStation Store
On May 15, 2016, Pluto TV signed an agreement with Sony to make the Pluto TV app available on the PlayStation Store for download by users of the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4.
April 30, 2017: Robert Magdlen appointed as Chief Programming Officer
On April 30, 2017, Pluto Inc. added a chief programming officer role, appointing Robert Magdlen, who formerly served as senior vice president of program strategy and acquisitions for E! and as a production executive for TNT, in the post.
May 15, 2017: Pluto TV Launches Video-On-Demand
On May 15, 2017, Pluto TV launched a traditional video-on-demand offering, consisting a large library of films and television series licensed from distributors such as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Viacom, Sony Pictures, Fremantle, Monstercat, King Features Syndicate along with two Canadian studios, Nelvana and DHX.
May 2017: Pluto TV averages 6 million users
As of May 2017, Variety reported that the service was averaging 6 million users per month.
October 2017: Pluto TV Reaches 15 Million Users
By October 2017, Pluto TV reached over 15 million users.
October 2017: Samsung invests in Pluto TV
On October 17, 2017, Pluto TV announced that it received a $5-million investment from Samsung Venture Investment Corporation as part of an $8.3 million round of funding raised by various investors.
October 2017: Pluto TV one of the most-watched Roku Channels
As of October 2017, it was rated one of the most-watched Roku Channels on Roku.
March 15, 2018: Pluto TV Partners with SpotX
On March 15, 2018, Pluto TV partnered with SpotX to provide advertising monetization services for Pluto, including sales from media buyers breaking into over-the-top content services.
July 19, 2018: Pluto TV Agrees with Sony Pictures Television
On July 19, 2018, Pluto TV announced an agreement with Sony Pictures Television to stream over 200 movies and TV shows from Sony Pictures.
August 1, 2018: Vizio Launches WatchFree Powered by Pluto TV
On August 1, 2018, Vizio launched WatchFree, a new ad-supported streaming platform powered by Pluto TV. This service is built into several models of Vizio's Internet-connected smart TVs.
October 1, 2018: Pluto TV Expands into Europe
On October 1, 2018, Pluto TV expanded into parts of Europe, launching a platform on Sky's Now TV service in the UK, offering an initial slate of more than 12 curated channels.
October 2018: Pluto TV partners with Tru Optik
Also in October 2018, Pluto TV picked Tru Optik to help with advertising inventory.
December 4, 2018: Pluto TV Launches in Germany and Austria
On December 4, 2018, Pluto TV launched a regional service in Germany and Austria through a collaborative agreement with Sky, with content available via the Sky TV stick. The service initially included 15 streaming channels with both German and English-language content.
January 22, 2019: Viacom to acquire Pluto TV
On January 22, 2019, Viacom announced its intention to acquire Pluto TV for $340 million. Viacom planned to use the service as a marketing tool for its linear media brands, expand it into Latin America, and partner with internet and mobile providers.
March 4, 2019: Viacom completes acquisition of Pluto TV
On March 4, 2019, Viacom completed its acquisition of Pluto TV.
March 18, 2019: Viacom announces plans to launch Pluto TV worldwide
On March 18, 2019, Viacom announced plans to launch Pluto TV worldwide, focusing on ad-supported streaming platforms.
May 1, 2019: Pluto TV Introduces Branded Channels
On May 1, 2019, Pluto TV introduced branded channels based on Viacom Media Networks-owned cable outlets and other Viacom properties, including content from Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central, VH1, Logo, TV Land, MTV, and Spike. The channels primarily focus on archival content and series acquired from other content providers.
June 13, 2019: Pluto TV Launched on Comcast's Xfinity X1
On June 13, 2019, Pluto TV was launched on Comcast's Xfinity X1 cable boxes.
July 1, 2019: Pluto TV Launches Spanish-Language Tier
On July 1, 2019, Pluto TV launched a Spanish-language programming tier, Pluto TV Latino, with eleven Spanish and Portuguese-language channels.
August 13, 2019: Viacom and CBS Corporation to recombine
On August 13, 2019, National Amusements announced that Viacom and CBS Corporation would recombine their assets into a singular entity to be named ViacomCBS in a deal valued at up to $15.4 billion.
September 2019: Pluto TV available on mobile platforms in Europe
In September 2019, Pluto TV became available on mobile platforms in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the UK; the service first became available in those countries on iOS and Apple TV devices on September 6, and on Android devices on September 24.
November 13, 2019: CBS channels added to Pluto TV
On November 13, 2019, channels from CBS, including the New York and Los Angeles services, and an Entertainment Tonight-branded entertainment news channel (ET Live), were added to the service.
November 2019: Pluto TV monthly active users
By November 2019, the service was estimated to have 20 million monthly active users.
January 2020: Pluto TV unveils a new logo at CES 2020
In January 2020, Pluto TV unveiled a new logo at CES 2020, and later unveiled a redesign of its Apple iOS apps, which included a new channel guide and on-demand menu interface.
February 3, 2020: ViacomCBS Announces Pluto TV Latin America Launch
On February 3, 2020, ViacomCBS announced that Pluto TV would launch in Latin America at the end of March, offering 17 channels available in Spanish and Portuguese at launch.
February 20, 2020: ViacomCBS estimates Pluto TV viewership
On February 20, 2020, ViacomCBS estimated that Pluto TV had an average of 22 million monthly viewers in the fourth quarter of 2019, projecting a user base of 30 million by December 2020. The company also announced plans to integrate Pluto content into a revamped CBS All Access.
March 2020: Pluto TV Content Partners
As of March 2020, Pluto TV had deals with 170 content partners providing approximately 425 channels and 100,000 unique hours worth of programming.
July 9, 2020: Pluto TV launches on Virgin Media in the UK
On July 9, 2020, Pluto TV launched an application for Virgin Media customers in the United Kingdom.
October 2020: Pluto TV becomes part of ViacomCBS Streaming
In October 2020, Pluto TV became part of the newly created ViacomCBS Streaming, to be led by Pluto TV CEO Tom Ryan.
November 17, 2020: Pluto TV Launches in Brazil
Pluto TV was anticipated and was launched in Brazil on November 17, 2020.
December 2020: Pluto TV Latin America Expansion
By the end of December 2020, more than 80 channels were expected to be available on Pluto TV in Latin America.
March 2021: Pluto TV becomes sister service to Paramount+
Since March 2021, after the merger between Viacom and CBS Corporation, Pluto TV became a sister service to Paramount+ (previously known as CBS All Access).
July 17, 2021: Pluto TV Adds New Channels Including RidePass
On July 17, 2021, Pluto TV expanded its channel lineup by adding News 12 New York, Pluto TV Home, and Professional Bull Riders' RidePass. Pluto TV also became the exclusive streaming home for RidePass content through a deal with PBR.
September 29, 2021: ViacomCBS settles with FCC over closed captioning issues
On September 29, 2021, ViacomCBS agreed to pay $3.5 million and enter a consent decree with the FCC to resolve issues with clear and accessible closed captioning on Pluto TV. The FCC found that Pluto TV apps and websites often failed to properly pass through closed captions, lacked visible caption settings, and did not maintain required captioning support hotlines.
November 29, 2021: Pluto TV to Launch in Scandinavia
On November 29, 2021, ViacomCBS announced that Pluto TV would launch in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark by 2022, in partnership with Nordic Entertainment Group. This launch would phase out Nordic Entertainment Group's existing AVOD service, Viafree.
February 2022: ViacomCBS Streaming Renamed Paramount Streaming
In February 2022, ViacomCBS Streaming was renamed to Paramount Streaming.
February 16, 2022: ViacomCBS Streaming renamed Paramount Streaming
On February 16, 2022, ViacomCBS Streaming, the parent company of Pluto TV, was renamed to Paramount Streaming as part of the broader rebranding of ViacomCBS to Paramount Global.
July 13, 2022: Pluto TV Adds New Channel Categories and Channels
On July 13, 2022, Pluto TV added five new channel categories: Game Shows, Daytime TV, Home, Food, and Lifestyle & Culture. Two new channels were also added: Let's Make a Deal and The Judge Judy Channel.
September 1, 2022: Pluto TV Launches New Movie and TV Channels
On September 1, 2022, Pluto TV launched two new channels: 00s Replay, a 2K-themed movie channel, and The Ed Sullivan Show.
October 31, 2022: Pluto TV to Add Classic CBS Series to On-Demand Library
On October 31, 2022, Pluto TV announced it would add 6,300 episodes of classic CBS-distributed series to its on-demand library by the end of 2022. The series to be added include Cheers, Criminal Minds, Frasier, and Star Trek.
December 1, 2022: Pluto TV Launches in Canada
On December 1, 2022, Pluto TV officially launched in Canada through a partnership with Corus Entertainment, which is responsible for marketing and Canadian advertising sales.
December 15, 2022: Pluto TV Launches Advertising Campaign Featuring Drew Barrymore
On December 15, 2022, Pluto TV launched a new advertising campaign that featured talk show host and actress Drew Barrymore.
April 11, 2023: Pluto TV launches CBS Sports Golazo Network
On April 11, 2023, Pluto TV launched the Latin-aimed CBS Sports Golazo Network in the United States, utilizing Paramount Global's soccer rights to offer discussion shows and live games.
April 2023: Pluto TV Monthly Active Users
As of April 2023, Pluto TV has a total of 80 million monthly active users.
November 1, 2023: Paramount announces potential Pluto TV and My5 merger in the UK
On November 1, 2023, Paramount announced plans for Pluto TV to merge with My5 in the UK, with the launch expected in the second half of 2024.
October 2024: Pluto TV partners with NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution
In October 2024, Pluto TV announced a new partnership with NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution.
December 2024: Pluto TV is most popular FAST service in Canada
As of December 2024, Pluto TV was the most popular free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service in Canada, according to Media Technology Monitor.
April 2025: Pluto TV adds new channels
In April 2025, Pluto TV announced the addition of The Martha Stewart Channel, The Emeril Lagasse Channel, and ALLBLK Gems to its permanent channel lineup.
August 7, 2025: Paramount-Skydance merger finalized
After the Paramount–Skydance merger was completed on August 7, 2025, CEO David Ellison announced plans to integrate the technology stacks of Pluto TV and Paramount+ starting in 2026.
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